"Heller views AmeriCorps experience as a reliable indicator of high performance, commitment to social justice, leadership and teamwork. These are not just the attributes of successful graduate students, they are attributes of successful leaders. We are proud to partner with AmeriCorps Alums and further our joint commitment to advancing social justice in communities here and around the world.” ~Elizabeth Cole, Assistant Director of Admissions

To recognize this, the Heller School recently announced a guaranteed minimum 50% tuition scholarship for all AmeriCorps Alums enrolled in either the MPP or MBA in Nonprofit Management programs, a scholarship worth over $21,000 based on 2013 tuition rates.

Ranked in the top ten schools of social policy by US News & World Report, Heller School for Social Policy and Management is a leader in providing financial assistance awarded to AmeriCorps alumni. Whatever cause you are committed to – ending poverty, improving health policy, protecting the environment, spurring community development, resolving conflict or protecting the rights of women, children and minorities -- Heller's unique interdisciplinary approach will prepare you for a fulfilling career finding solutions to society's most pressing social problems.

15 school partners and nearly 1,500 AmeriCorps Alums and current members registered for last Thursday's AmeriCorps Alums Virtual Grad School Fair! The event ushered in a new phase in how seamlessly you can connect with schools committed to national service. Many of you provided feedback through our anonymous feedback tool, and shared your thoughts about what you liked and what could have improved the event. One alum shared, "It forced me to be serious about my grad school plans and held me accountable." Several of you also commented about the need for more schools, and we hear you loud and clear. We'll be working hard to expand the amount of participating schools at the next version of the grad school fair will include increased chat times and the inclusion of additional schools.

If you are not using LinkedIn ( join the AmeriCorps Alums group here) or your LinkedIn profile is not up to date, then you are probably not taking advantage of a recruiting tool that more and more recruiters are utilizing. According to Jobvite’s Social Recruiting Survey 2013, 96% of recruiters use LinkedIn to search for qualified candidates. That’s up from 78% in 2010.

What’s more, these same recruiters are also using LinkedIn and other social media sites to "keep tabs” on potential candidates. That means if you are not careful with your profile, you might be eliminating yourself from a potential job opportunity without even knowing it. 61 percent of Jobvite’s survey respondents reacted negatively to spelling and grammar errors that appear in your LinkedIn or other social media profiles. If you are not paying attention to the details, then recruiters might not be paying much attention to you. On the flip side, 65% of respondents reacted positively to references about volunteering in your profile. Listing AmeriCorps and your service background in your profile can positively aid your job search, so think again if you have not included it in your LinkedIn profile.

Brandeis UniversityVirtual Grad School Fair A SuccessWhy LinkedIn Matters To Your Career

Monthly Career Webinar:

The Virtual Grad School Fair took the place of December's professional development opportunity. We are working away on some amazing career webinars for 2014. However, in the mean time, we invite you to visit the archives.

Are you interested in insurance discounts designed especially for AmeriCorps Alums? We've partnered with GEICO to provide you with insurance for auto, homeowner's, renter's, condo, and boater's. To find our more about this exclusive offer, click on the GEICO logo below.